Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has tipped outgoing strike Shola Ameobi to return to St. James’ Park in the future.
Ameobi will end his 14-season long relationship with the ‘Magpies’ this summer when his contract expires at the end of June.
“I hope, one day, that they bring him back,” Pardew told the Newcastle Gazzette.
Steve Bruce’s Hull city are reportedly keen on the striker, who scored 79 goals for United.
Ameobi, however does not want to make any decision until after the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil, but will want to continue playing first-team football in the latter stages of his career.
English coach, Pardew, 52, believes the Kogi State native will have a lot to offer in a coaching capacity when he finally hangs up his boot. He had talked of the veteran having a future in management.
“Shola will go down as having been a very important person for this football club,” he added.
“His professionalism and the way he articulates himself, is something he should be every proud of.”
Ameobi will wait until Monday to realise his fate, concerning a debut World Cup appearance with his country of birth, when Super Eagles boss Stephen Keshi names his final 23-man squad.
He has scored twice in five international appearances for Nigeria.
